The international representation in this year’s Melbourne Cup is getting more diverse by the day. Four more horses from overseas have landed safely on Australian shores with their eyes set firmly on the $6 million race that stops the nation.
All horses travelled well and are in good condition at the Werribee International Horse Centre, joining potential Melbourne Cup runners from Hong Kong, Japan, and Macau.
Trainer Luca Cumani brought over three potential winners in Manighar, Drunken Sailor, and Becqu Adoree. All three reportedly had a safe flight and are in good condition at the Werribee International Horse Centre, joining potential Melbourne Cup runners from Hong Kong, Japan, and Macau.
Manighar – the most successful of the three Cumani-trained contenders – is guaranteed a start in the upcoming $2.5 million Caulfield Cup (2400m). His most recent outing produced a second place finish in the Kergorlay (3000m) in France in late August. He’s taken six wins out of 12 starts.
Drunken Sailor is also an emerging talent for Cumani as the six-year-old gelding took an impressive win in the March Stakes (2800m) in late August. This was preceded by two second place runs in the Silver Cup (2800m) and Heritage Handicap (3218m) in July and June respectively.
Joining the Cumani trio is Americain. The Alain De Royer-Dupre-trained bay horse is a promising contender as he is coming to Australia with six wins in his 18 starts. This includes three consecutive first place finishes in the horse’s most recent outings. Americain will be the first Australian runner for the French trainer.
The four arrivals are a drop in the bucket of international hopefuls. With just over a month to go before the 150th running of the Emirates Melbourne Cup, fans and punters can expect plenty more overseas contenders to arrive.
